Beaver Creek Resort Is Open: Here's What's New in 2015

Beaver Creek Resort opened up on Wednesday with more than 720 acres of terrain — "the most terrain offered on opening day since 2002," the resort says. "Season to date, the resort has already received more than 50 inches of natural snowfall and has benefited from ideal snowmaking conditions in the lead up to opening day.

You can read about every Colorado ski resort in the Edge, our winter sports guide, as we roll it out online. Each description lays out what's new, what the signature experience is, what to splurge on, how to go cheap and, of course, what to drink.

What’s new: Beaver Creek made big investments last year in time to host the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, including a new high-speed quad chairlift and the opening of seventeen acres of new terrain that was part of the Raptor speed course and is now mostly open to the public when it’s not being used for race training or hosting events. The resort has also expanded on its “White Carpet Snow” project, introduced last season: After meticulously grooming many of its Gold Dust, Red Tail and Centennial runs, Beaver Creek now hits them with an extra shot of man-made snow.

Signature experience: Visit during the 2015 Audi Birds of Prey Men’s World Cup, December 4-6, to watch Downhill, Super-G and Giant Slalom competitions, and cheer for American Ted Ligety, chasing after his sixth consecutive Beaver Creek Giant Slalom win. Then come back later in the season to bomb down those same World Cup runs yourself.

Splurge: Slide out of your boots and into some cozy slippers for lunch at the ski-in SaddleRidge Restaurant, where executive chef Adam Roth will be serving up wild game served “Colorado contemporary” style: elk carpaccio, grilled venison tacos, buffalo sloppy Joes, and pan-seared ruby trout are menu highlights. Reservations required: 970-754-5456.

Ski bum tips: Free chocolate chip cookies at the base area at 3 p.m. are a longstanding Beaver Creek tradition. If champagne is more your style, head for the Spruce Saddle Lodge at the top of the Centennial Express lift instead, for a new tradition dubbed “Prost!” (the German equivalent of “Cheers!”), also at 3 p.m. The first pour is free.

Drink locally: Slip out of Beaver Creek’s posh enclave for a jaunt to nearby Edwards for visits to Crazy Mountain Brewery and Gore Range Brewery, or to Eagle-Vail to check out the new Vail Brewing Co.